NO FEAR.

We are called to have wisdom. That's what the Bible says numerous times. 

I could give so many references of that, and we all KNOW that. Proverbs is filled with talking about our need for wisdom <<2:6, 2:10, 3:21, 4:7, 8:11, 11:2, 13:10, 23:15, 24:3>>. However, its written all over, Ecclesiastes 2:26, Isaiah 33:6, 1 Corinthians 2:6-7, Ephesians 1:17, Colossians 1:9, James 1:5 and James 3:17. Just to list a few :) 

Now this has been my constant prayer. And its a promise from God that He will give us His wisdom is we are abiding and seeking Him. As I was praying for the wisdom of God, He opened my eyes up to some other passages that talk about what we need in order to have wisdom...

We need fear. 

Wait, hold on for a second. We are told all growing up not to fear. We are told to walk in boldness, confidence, and courage. Come on Lord, I know it says in Deuteronomy 31:6 to not fear for You are always with me.

But this is a different kind of fear, it's a fear of the Lord. This fear is in reference to an AWE and REVERENCE of God. 

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." <<Proverbs 9:10>> 

So easily I am able to view the Lord as my friend, father, comforter, healer, lover and pursuer. But I quickly forget to view Him as the King of King, Powerful Creator of all things, and Lord over all. This views bring in the reverence that my God deserves. Seeing Him not only as my comforter, but also as a King changes my view. 

I serve a POWERFUL God who deserves nothing less then my utmost respect. And that includes fearing Him above all.  As sinners, we so quickly fear life and the things to come before we even think to fear the Lord. I know in my own life, fear comes naturally, but a reverent fear of the Lord does not.

I am still searching this out and praying through the practical ways to fear God and what that looks like day to day for me. But He has opened my eyes up to the necessity to fear Him and I am seeking biblically what that looks like! 

Do you fear the Lord? Or do you fear life?

Favorite song this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ftKclNtUo&feature=related

Also, my brother LJ moved home this week. This was his first day, My mother and I picked him up from the airport, then we all went to block 15 and met my dad! LJ drew a picture of me :)

Faith versus doubting.

We serve a big God. We serve a God who loves to give us gifts. We serve a God who wants to be in our presence more then we could know. 

And we know all of this, but do we live in it? 

Do my actions toward God align with who He really is? Or do I just know the truth in my head and let my heart act out something completely opposite?

Last Sunday, April 23 I was playing softball with some girls at Charis. On third base I rolled my ankle pretty badly. I was in a lot of pain and ended up at the doctors. They told me that I had sprained my ankle and damaged tissue in my foot! Super fun! They gave me a recovery time of 4-6 weeks.

I was pretty frustrated by this news. I could care less about being in pain, I just don't have the time to be inconvenienced by crutches. They slow me down and make getting places so much work. The worst part of this all was I couldn't do things on my own. The simple act of getting dinner and taking it to the table was impossible for me. I couldn't carry a glass of water, or even open a door without struggling. 

This inability to be independent put me in a sour mood all week long. *I apologize to anyone who had to deal with me.*

This last Sunday while I was at a birthday party some friends of mine prayed over my ankle and one of the girls prophesied that I would wake up in the morning and be healed. I was just kinda like "okay cool" but not really putting any hope in the reality of being healed. Although, I did keep that in the back of my head the rest of the night.

Monday morning, my alarm clock went off, as it always does at 3:27 am. I woke up instantly (which isn't usually the case, I'm good friends with the snooze button). I moved my foot to see if my ankle was healed. And there was pain. Then God reminded me of a verse James 1:6 "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind" And He clearly spoke to me saying I doubt Him. 

I was kinda in shock. I don't doubt the Lord, I have been a christian forever, I know He is big and can do anything. But He kept saying. "You doubt me". AH! And then I admitted to it. And it took me 30 minutes to muster up the faith to believe that the Lord would heal me as soon as I got out of bed. 30 MINUTES! 

However, as soon as I decided to believe, as soon as I decided to take that leap (literally) out of bed, I put both feet down, and there was no pain! God HAD healed me! I was okay! He is a big man! 

I was super blessed by being healed. As my Monday continued I kept being so blessed by the Lord. Remembering and BELIEVING that God healing me is such a small thing to Him. He can do so much more and WANTS to do more when I trust in Him.

I started evaluating my life and asking God "what other areas am I lacking faith"? I am excited to see what He reveals. 

So here is a question for you....

What areas of your life are you lacking faith? 

Ask God, He will tell you!

Craft time.

Well Hello there! How ya been?!
What did you do during spring break? Mine was spent working and crafting! Oh and I also have been in Portland (beaverton) for the weekend!

I thought I would devote this blog post to my crafts from this week!
Wednesday was a dear friends birthday! Miss Alyssa Willia turned 22! Woot Woot! so I made her these fun candle holders!

 Instructions:
1. Get a mason jar, fun paper, mod podge, scissors and ribbon or yarn.
2. Measure the paper to fit around the outside of the mason jar.
3. Cut paper.
4. Cut some sort of design into the paper. (the one with the big L actually spells out love)
5. Glue the back and top of the paper onto the jar using mod podge!
6. Attach a fun ribbon or yarn onto the top of it!
TADA! Your done :) easy!
Also on these candle holders, I took the middle part of the lid off so that you can light the candles. Seems pretty obvious to me, but thought I would clarify!

My next project was inspired by my own forgetfulness! I have been realizing that if I don't write things down that I need to get done, they don't get done.... :) So I made myself a board to hang in my room that will tell me important things do that week and what needs to get done, etc. I also have realized that I forget to pray for people unless I see their name somewhere, so I made a prayer board in a similar fashion!

Instructions:
1. Get a picture frame, scrap book paper, and maybe some fun letters!
2. Put letters on paper in desired location. If your anything like me you have horrible handwriting! I always have to use fun letters otherwise I hate the project :)
3. Put the paper in the frame!
4. Hang it up and use it!

Seriously. Easiest. Craft. Ever.

My next craft this week was inspired by my dear friend Patrick Elliot. Patrick and I have become quite close this year, I might even say he is one of my best friends. And sadly he moved back to Portland. I knew it was coming, just didn't realize how soon! I know he is going to make something big of himself so i made him a present in hopes that he would never forget me! :)

After I took this picture I actually added a verse around the edges, 2 timothy 1:7! Amazing scripture.
Instructions:
1. Get an old vinyl record, stencil, craft wire and spray paint.
2. Tape the stencil securely on the record.
3. Spray paint the record.
--Warning-- you might want to hold down pieces of your stencil when spray painting so that you don't get spray paint under the stencil.
4. After letting dry, put anything else you want on the front! Like I did letters and added a verse!
5. on the back I hot glued craft wire across so that Patrick could hang it on his wall if he wanted.

My final craft was out of necessity! I am in portland and forgot to pack a hat and planned on wearing one on sunday. So of course, I decided I would just make a new one!

Now I make a LOT of hats, but this was my first time doing a tight brim. And I LOVE IT. I just used a drastically smaller needle for the last 5ish rows to get the desired look! It was fun and the hat took about 1 1/2 hours max.

I'm really enjoying this crafting mood and can't wait to see what else I can create this week!

*this weeks blog post brought to you by pandora's radio station Ella Fitzgerald*

Wintery Wednesday.

Hello there! Its been awhile! 

I woke up this morning at 3:30 to a winter wonderland. The only problem with that is yesterday was the start of spring! Now I am all for snow. I love it. Its beautiful. Its blissful. Its peaceful. 

This weather makes me want to date. I know. Such a GIRL thing to say. But hey, that's how I feel. I love long walks in the cold weather holding hands. I love cuddling up with coffee or tea and just talking while watching the snow fall. I love sitting in blanket forts, crocheting, watching movies, playing board games, laughing, smiles, sitting in silence and so much more that comes with this blissful winter weather! The snow just makes me want to be romanced!

 But the lie that most people believe when they start desiring a relationship and the things that come from it is that its not okay to want that. They think (I have definitely thought this!) oh man I must not be concentrating on God enough if I want a boyfriend. Oh gosh, I just need to seek the Lord more how dare I not be content! But in reality, ITS OKAY! God created us with a desire to have a husband! But whats so cool about being single is how much more God can be that lover for us!

Some days I get so concentrated on how I am not being pursued that I forget that God is pursuing me! HE WANTS ME! The ways He is blessing me, showing me His love, teaching me my worth, all have to do with the ways He is romancing me! I don't need to want to be romanced, I AM being romanced! So cool. And God is so faithful to be there when my feeble heart is hurting. He is my comforter. 

Today is one of those days where I just get to choose JOY. I get to choose to enjoy the winter in spring! I get to choose to let Jesus romance me! I get to choose to not sit in pity, loneliness and sadness. My God is bigger and better. My God has such plans for my life. And He has a plan for today!

Welp, here I go onto the rest of the day. Choosing Jesus every step!